Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Job Shadow?
- How did Job Shadow get started?
- When is Job Shadow?
- How is it different from other career education initiatives?
- Who coordinates the Job Shadow initiative?
- Where will Job Shadow take place?
What is Job Shadow?
Job Shadow will kick off on February 2. This will be the national launch to a yearlong initiative that gives students across America the chance to “shadow” a workplace mentor as he or she goes through a day on the job. This provides young people nationwide with an up-close look at how skills learned in school are put to use in the workplace. Thousands of students and businesses will participate in Job Shadow.
How did the Job Shadow initiative get started?
Many middle school and high school kids previously didn’t have the opportunity to explore various career options firsthand by visiting a workplace. In 1996, the first local Job Shadow Day was conducted in Boston. In 1997, the National Job Shadow Coalition was formed to encourage participation in a shadowing initiative across the United States. The goal was to help young people explore firsthand the skills and education needed to succeed in today’s and future job markets, and to encourage the development of relationships between students and caring adults. Given the current economy, students need these valuable experiences more than ever.
When is Job Shadow?
February 2 is the kickoff to Job Shadow, a yearlong initiative.
How is it different from other career education initiatives?
Job shadowing gives kids a chance to explore various careers beyond what their parents may do for a living. Job Shadow also provides an opportunity for students in at-risk situations to be exposed to various career options they otherwise might not have the chance to explore.
Who coordinates the Job Shadow initiative?
Job Shadow is coordinated by the Job Shadow Coalition, which consists of America’s Promise, Junior Achievement, the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Labor. Other sponsors include AT&T; Cisco; the Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Where will Job Shadow take place?
At thousands of participating businesses and organizations across the country. Participating employers coordinate and support employees to serve as workplace mentors by using the resources available on this website.
Past workplace mentors include:
- Former President George H.W. Bush
- Former Secretary of State Colin Powell
- Former Governor Jesse Ventura and other governors, mayors and elected officials
- Former Miss America Angela Perez Baraquio
- Today Show anchors Matt Lauer, Al Roker, and Ann Curry